About Exmoor

Locations

Combe Martin

The village with the longest high street in Britain is a good place to start your visit to Exmoor. As the western tip of the National Park it’s a typical Devon village with a lovely beach, great rock pools, safe bathing and a pub with an interesting history. It’s also home to the highest sea cliffs in England, with a cliff that’s 250 metres high and a series of secret coves. It’s also home to a collection of animatronic, life-size dinosaurs as well as an impressive collection of zoo animals including sea lions and lions. Nearby you’ll find Exmoor Zoo, Watermouth Castle and cove and Arlington Court, an impressive National Trust Property with a fantastic collection of horse drawn carriages.

Lynton and Lynmouth

Lynton and Lynmouth are considered to be twin towns, a key difference is that one is at the bottom of the hill and the other at the very top. Lynmouth is where the Lyn River empties into the Bristol Channel at the bottom of a deep wooded river valley. The beach here is lovely and great for rockpooling! Head upstream to where the East Lyn and West Lyn rivers meet and you’ll find one of the finest cream teas in the area, at the National Trust property at Watersmeet. The walking here is exemplary. Lynton is the buzzing little town at the top of the hill. You can get there via the Cliff Railway, a Victorian curiosity that’s water-powered. Once at the top there are shops and cafes, an art and crafts centre and small museum devoted to Exmoor life.

Porlock

Just west of Minehead and almost at the most northerly point of Exmoor, Porlock sits at the bottom of Porlock Hill, one of the steepest hills in the National Park. It rises almost 400 metres in two miles and offers amazing views from the top. Another way to get the vistas without the hard work is to take the toll road. It’s longer, but easier, with the same incredible views east to Minehead and the Porlock Vale. Porlock has a very pretty harbour and weir that is surrounded by thatched cottages and quaint buildings, including the 15th century Ship Inn.

Dunster

Often billed as ‘The gateway to Exmoor’, Dunster is just a short hop from our holiday cottages at Dulverton, Minehead and Exebridge. It has over 200 listed buildings (which is a lot for such a small place) and has a unique atmosphere. Dominating the town is Dunster Castle, an 11th century castle with sub-tropical gardens. Dunster also has an ancient Yarn Market in the centre of the town, which was once the centre for the Exmoor wool trade.

Dulverton

Dulverton sits between two rivers, the Barle and the Exe, which converge a little downstream before heading towards the sea at Exeter. South of the town there are stunning salmon traps and weirs on the Barle. The area is famous for salmon and trout fishing. The town is home to the head office of the National Park Authority and site of the Dulverton National Park Centre, where you can learn more about the park. The area is brilliant for walking and close to Wimbleball Lake, where there are watersports facilities.

Our Exmoor Cottages

If you like the idea of a blissful holiday in the great destination of Exmoor, then why not take a look at our great selection of cottages in Exmoor. We have cottages in Exmoor that will be ideal for a large group or family that needs lots of space and a safe surrounding. If you fancy a quiet romantic getaway, you will love some of our smaller properties in Exmoor, some with an open fire-place, some with internet access and you can even treat yourself to a cottage with a hot tub.